Show Your Vintage MTB Drop Bar Conversions
09-29-20, 05:20 PM
#6877
Senior Member
Miyata Elevation 200 - 700c fixed gear drop bar conversion
I've been admiring this thread for a loooong time... finally I have a contribution...
Huge thanks to all of the prior posters for the inspiration... this thing is much lighter and more fun to ride than I was expecting. Perfect for the miles of canal towpaths and gravel alleyways around where I live...
Huge thanks to all of the prior posters for the inspiration... this thing is much lighter and more fun to ride than I was expecting. Perfect for the miles of canal towpaths and gravel alleyways around where I live...
Last edited by Burd; 09-29-20 at 06:56 PM.
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09-30-20, 11:14 AM
#6878
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I have the chance to buy a Schwinn high plains (unknown year) or a 93’ Trek 950 , both in decent shape with all original components. Which would y’all pick for a conversion like this?
09-30-20, 11:27 AM
#6879
on the wheels of steel
The more knowledgable can correct me, but I think the Trek 950 is a higher spec bike than the Schwinn HP. One way to find out is to look what components it has. I know the 950s are quite common for these conversions.
09-30-20, 11:38 AM
#6880
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the Schwinn has Shimano 200GS RD and rapid fire STI shifters, while the Trek has Shimano deore components I don’t know much so I’m not sure how to compare them...
09-30-20, 11:46 AM
#6881
on the wheels of steel
09-30-20, 01:12 PM
#6882
2-Wheeled Fool
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I'd go with the Trek 950, of which I have had several. If your 950 is one of the older, lugged frames, it'd be a slam-dunk for me. I got one hanging in the shop right now, and the only thing stopping me from converting it is the small stack on that particular sized frame.
10-04-20, 01:18 AM
#6883
Full Member
Here's the next one- a Bianchi Osprey, 18", refinishing started back in July or so, still waiting on me to get decals from Velocals so I can sand smooth and bury them under the final coats of 2K clear. It will receive a Nitto Periscopa/moustache setup. It's more celeste and a bit darker in real life- the camera and flash did something weird to the color, washed it out. The fork is painted to match, but isn't in the image.
10-04-20, 04:49 PM
#6884
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10-04-20, 08:43 PM
#6885
Birotate Charioteer
It's been a long time since an update!
Late 1990s Caloi XT X-C frame with a Carver steel suspension-corrected fork. Sort of a cheap take on the Cunningham ethos.
All 8 speed Deore XT mech and hubs.
The latest -and probably final mechanical- step was the addition of a Velo Orange Cigne stem to replace the mountainous stack of spacers on the uncut original steerer.
It hip steers beautifully and is faster than it looks.
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10-07-20, 12:03 PM
#6886
Junior Member
Great to see this thread going strong after so many years, so I'll add in my contribution - conversion of a 1994 Giant Chaos. Little known frame but really quite nice with double butted tubes including stays and a threadless headset. I used MicroShift / MicroNew 3x7 shifters to match the original Deore LX drivetrain and they work perfectly. No issues with fit or handling with the super short stem (maybe 50mm). All around a great budget build (approx. 130 EUR all in), and these Schwalbe tires float over the gravel and endless cobblestones in Germany!
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10-07-20, 12:10 PM
#6887
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I've been admiring this thread for a loooong time... finally I have a contribution...
Huge thanks to all of the prior posters for the inspiration... this thing is much lighter and more fun to ride than I was expecting. Perfect for the miles of canal towpaths and gravel alleyways around where I live...
Huge thanks to all of the prior posters for the inspiration... this thing is much lighter and more fun to ride than I was expecting. Perfect for the miles of canal towpaths and gravel alleyways around where I live...
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10-07-20, 05:44 PM
#6888
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50mi later I like the ride but struggled to get up a few steep dirt hills with the back tire spinning out. 1.95” crossroads tires are fast but what’s the point if I can’t get up a rooty old hill. What tires should I get?
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10-07-20, 06:44 PM
#6889
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Cool Stumpy. I need to make room for another one. Tires may not be the answer. You have to keep your weight way back over the rear end for traction. And still, if the steepness and looseness are in the "right" combination, you will loose your grip.
__________________
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
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10-07-20, 06:46 PM
#6890
on the wheels of steel
That is really the struggle lol. I think it's basically a direct tradeoff... You can make it a lot better with good climbing technique though, like sitting and spinning in a low gear instead of standing and mashing on a high one. Or being really careful about keeping the rear wheel weighted while standing.
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10-07-20, 06:51 PM
#6891
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Ah..I knew it was obvious, just was drawing a blank.
I'm tempted to pick up a PR of the DTH tires, though their website is confusing. On the blackwalls they list the wheel size as 26-650". On the gumwall page they say the wheel size is both 26-650" and Etrto: 52/54-559(which should be the correct size). Confusing..
I'm tempted to pick up a PR of the DTH tires, though their website is confusing. On the blackwalls they list the wheel size as 26-650". On the gumwall page they say the wheel size is both 26-650" and Etrto: 52/54-559(which should be the correct size). Confusing..
10-07-20, 06:53 PM
#6892
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That is really the struggle lol. I think it's basically a direct tradeoff... You can make it a lot better with good climbing technique though, like sitting and spinning in a low gear instead of standing and mashing on a high one. Or being really careful about keeping the rear wheel weighted while standing.
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10-07-20, 07:20 PM
#6893
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26-650 is actually a 650A (590mm) as in 26 x 1 1/ 8 touring tyre size (found on wheelchairs to). This should not be confused with 650B...which is the new 27.5" standard for mtb / gravel tyres. 29ers are actually 700C. 559mm is the standard 26" size for traditional mtbs. So a 52/54-559 is a 26" x 2 .0 / 2.1". Clear...good...
Take a look..lower right and then lower left. I've asked them about this and they didn't respond. In any event, I'd like to order 6-8 tires (total, two different tires) and their shipping gets a bit nuts..$64. ..still looking for a decent price and decent shipping..
10-08-20, 01:05 PM
#6894
bOsscO
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Great to see this thread going strong after so many years, so I'll add in my contribution - conversion of a 1994 Giant Chaos. Little known frame but really quite nice with double butted tubes including stays and a threadless headset. I used MicroShift / MicroNew 3x7 shifters to match the original Deore LX drivetrain and they work perfectly. No issues with fit or handling with the super short stem (maybe 50mm). All around a great budget build (approx. 130 EUR all in), and these Schwalbe tires float over the gravel and endless cobblestones in Germany!
10-08-20, 05:00 PM
#6895
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Well..the problem is when they report both sizes on the same webpage, not as a selection of sizes available, but as ..I don't know(that's the problem)..the same tire.
Take a look..lower right and then lower left. I've asked them about this and they didn't respond. In any event, I'd like to order 6-8 tires (total, two different tires) and their shipping gets a bit nuts..$64. ..still looking for a decent price and decent shipping..
Take a look..lower right and then lower left. I've asked them about this and they didn't respond. In any event, I'd like to order 6-8 tires (total, two different tires) and their shipping gets a bit nuts..$64. ..still looking for a decent price and decent shipping..
10-08-20, 05:33 PM
#6896
Junior Member
Sorry if this doesn't belong here since it's not a 26" MTB, wasn't able to find a similar thread for 700c hybrids. Here is my 1992 Specialized Crossroads I got for $65. Previous owner called it a "failed conversion", but it was because the lever boss cover on the barend shifter was installed improperly.
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10-08-20, 05:34 PM
#6897
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Sorry if this doesn't belong here since it's not a 26" MTB, wasn't able to find a similar thread for 700c hybrids. Here is my 1992 Specialized Crossroads I got for $65. Previous owner called it a "failed conversion", but it was because the lever boss cover on the barend shifter was installed improperly.
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10-08-20, 05:39 PM
#6898
Junior Member
10-08-20, 05:48 PM
#6899
on the wheels of steel
I think it's rad. Definitely mtb-esque, as mtbs gave rise to the crossovers of the time. They should've called it the curbkicker though
10-08-20, 06:42 PM
#6900
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Sorry if this doesn't belong here since it's not a 26" MTB, wasn't able to find a similar thread for 700c hybrids. Here is my 1992 Specialized Crossroads I got for $65. Previous owner called it a "failed conversion", but it was because the lever boss cover on the barend shifter was installed improperly.
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